Village Trustees Ok Rezoning To Allow Senior Housing Facility

December 17, 1998|By Donna Kiesling.

TINLEY PARK — One senior housing facility proposed for Tinley Park is moving toward reality, while another has been stalled by size considerations.

Village Board members Tuesday granted preliminary approval to rezoning land at 169th Street and Harlem Avenue to medium-density residential use from single-family use so Reenders Yarling Properties can build 170 units providing assisted- and independent-living quarters for the elderly.

"The board is faced with exciting opportunities with this project," Trustee Dave Seaman said, while noting the site has been "problematic" due to soil quality.

Additional studies are planned by developers to ensure the project will be buildable at that location.

Trustees postponed action until Jan. 5 on a similar rezoning request by Marriott International for about 5 acres at Centennial Drive and Centennial Circle, pending revisions of the plan. That company wants to construct a senior facility consisting of a community center and six "cottages," including rooms for Alzheimer's patients.

That development would be composed entirely of assisted-living units and would house up to 108 residents.

Seaman said that because senior housing is a new type of development in the village, officials want to establish minimum standards regarding the size of units and common areas in such projects.